Nursing bottle



P. E. ALLEN NURSING BOTTLE Jan. 5, 1937.

Filed July 5, 1954 Patented Jan. 5, 1 937 UNITED STATES PATENT ()F'FlCE 2 Claims.

The present invention relates to nursing bottles, and more particularly toa novel construction of such a bottle provided with a vent for admitting air into the bottle during nursing.

Among the objects of the present invention is to provide a novel construction of nursing bottle having a readily adjustable air vent for insuring at all times a proper flow ofthe milk or contents of the bottle when the infant is nursing or being fed.

In the prior forms of nursing bottles, no provisi'on has been made for replenishing the supply of air in the bottle. Unless air is admitted into the bottle to replace the exhausted contents thereof, the flexible nipple collapses due to the fact that the infant sucking on the usual flexible nipple would exhaust the supply of air in the bottle and could .not further withdraw the contents of the bottle. In such prior constructions, it was-thennecessary for the infant to release the nipple and permit air to enter through the small opening or openings therein which would aerate or charge the milk in the bottle. As the infant resumed its feeding, it would suck in the charged or aerated milk which produced colic and other stomach disorders resulting in great discomfort.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a novel construction of nursing bottle provided with an adjustable vent in a side wall thereof adjacent the bottom of the bottle.

A still further object of the novel invention resides in the construction of the vent or valve for permitting entrance of a requisite amount of air into the interior of the bottle.

Yet another object of the invention is in the provision of a novel vent or valve attachment for a nursing bottle and in the novel means and method of assembling said vent or valve.

Further objects are to provide a construction of maximum simplicity, efficiency, and ease of assembly and operation, and such further objects, advantages and capabilities as will later more fully appear and as are inherently possessed thereby.

The invention further resides in the combination, construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and while there is shown therein a preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the same is susceptible of modification and change, and comprehends other arrangements, constructions and details, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a view in sidenelevation of a nursing I bottle, a portion thereof being broken away.

Fig. 2 is a view in horizontal cross section taken in a plane represented bythe line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view in vertical cross section taken in-a plane represented by the line 3 of Fig.2.

Fig. 4 is a disassembled view of a novel vent means or valve.

Fig. 5 is a view part inside elevation and part in vertical cross section, showing the mannerof assembling the vent .m'eans'or valve.

Referring more. particularly to the disclosure in the drawing, the numeral l'refersgerierally to a nursing bottle provided at its upper ,end with the usual flexible nursing nipple'2. Adja% cent the lower end or base of the bottle and in a side wall thereof is provided anopening 3. In this opening is mounted the novel vent means or valve comprising a plug 4 having a threaded enlargement 5 and a reducedshank 1Y6] which likewise is threaded at its lower 'or' outer end. The threaded end of the shank is adapted to receive 'a nut '1 while the enlarged part 5 of the plug is adapted to receive a closure or cap 8.

The plug 4 is provided with a central opening or vent 9 leading to the interior of the bottle. In order that air flow through the opening 9, it is not necessary that the cap or closure 8 be entirely removed, but merely that the same is partially unscrewed or loosened so as to separate or withdraw the washer or insert l0 which seats in and is carried by the closure or cap 8, from contacting engagement with the end of the plug 4 to thereby uncover the vent.

Figs. 1, 2 and 3 disclose the vent means or valve mounted in a side wall of the bottle, the cap being screwed down to prevent leakage of air from the outside atmosphere into the bottle. In Fig. 4, the parts making up the vent means or valve are shown in separated relation prior to their assembly on the bottle. In order to prevent leakage around the plug 4, washers II are mounted on the shank 6 on the opposite sides of the wall of the bottle.

In the assembly of the vent means, there is provided a tool or arbor I2 mounted on a pedestal or the like I3, which in turn is mounted upon a table or bench i i. Upon the tool or arbor is positioned a stop or limiting device 15 against which the open end of the bottle abuts when in position to assemble the vent means. Adjacent its free end, the tool or arbor is provided with a polygonal shaped socket for receiving the nut l and retaining it against rotation.

In the assembly of the vent means, the tool incides with the opening in the washer H and nut 1 positioned on the tool or arbor. A washer H is then placed over the shank 6 of the plug and the reduced threaded end of the shank is screwed into the nut 1 until the Washers I I on the opposite sides of the wall of the bottle prevent leakage and provide a liquid tight seal. The cap 8 carrying an insert I0 is next screwed down upon the threaded enlargement of the plug until the insert or washer in the plug seats against the end of this enlargement and seals the opening or vent 9 to the outside atmosphere.

When it is desired to permit a requisite amount of air to enter the bottle as when the infant is nursing or being fed from the bottle, it is merely necessary to partly unscrew the cap 8 to withdrawthe insert or washer ID from sealing engagement with the end of the plug 4. Without unscrewing the cap more than a part of a turn, air will seep or .flow around the threads on, the enlargement and on the interior of the cap or'closure, and will enter the bottle through the opening 9. W 7

"Any metal or material suitable for the purpose may be employed in forming the part of V the vent or valve, although in its preferred form,

the plug land nut 1 are made of metal, while the cap or closure 8 is made of bakelite composition or any other material suitable for the purpose.

- From the above description and the disclosure inthe drawing, it will bereadily apparent that the invention comprehends a novel construction of nursing bottle provided with a vent attachment or valve for supplying air thereto, and which fills a long felt need in the construction of feeding or nursing bottles. The bottle may be readily cleansed or washed without dinlculty and can thus be made completely sanitary.

Having thus disclosed the invention, I claim:

1. In combination with a nursing bottle having a discharge opening and an air vent in a wall of the bottle immediately above the base, a valve structure including a hollow shank adapted to pass through saidvent, a part adapted to seat against the interior of the bottle, a threaded enlargement on the exterior of the bottle, and a cap adapted to encompass and be threaded onto said enlargement, said cap when tightened sealing the outer end of said shank and the interior of the bottle to the atmosphere, and

when partially unscrewed, admitting air only around the complementary threads of said enlargement and cap and into the outer end of the hollow of the shank to replace the exhausted contents of the bottle.

2. In combination with a nursing bottle having a discharge opening and an air vent in a side wall of the bottle near the base, a valve structure therefor comprising a hollow plug insertable in said vent and provided with a part positioned within the bottle and a threaded enlargement positioned on the exterior of the bottle, said part and enlargement being adapted to seal said vent, and a cap adapted to enclose and be threaded onto said enlargement whereby to adjust the passage of. air through said plug, said cap when completely tightened sealing the outer hollow end of saidplug to the atmosphere, and when partially unscrewed, admitting the entrance of a requisite amount of air into the bottle by leakage about the complementary threads on saldenlargement and cap and thereby prevent collap e of the nipple. U

PAUL E. ALLEN. 

